Angular Velocity Sensor Assembly for Wellbore Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Precise downhole surveying and logging measurements in the oil and gas industry are challenging due to inaccuracies caused by tension in slickline cables and reliance on predetermined depth levels, which can lead to incorrect interpolation results and failure to capture radial movements of the slickline within the wellbore.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a position measurement sensor and processor that measures angular velocity to determine real-time depth, inclination, and radial coordinates, eliminating the need for interpolation and accounting for radial movements by using a series of measurement units including an inclination measurement unit, a coordinate measurement unit, and a depth measurement unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If predetermined depth levels are used for measurements, then the measurement process is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interpolation inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (predetermined depth levels and interpolation) with an angular velocity-based measurement system. The angular velocity sensor assembly directly measures depth, inclination, and radial coordinates through gyroscopic sensing, eliminating the need for mechanical depth markers and interpolation calculations, thereby achieving both operational simplicity and high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from discrete depth levels to continuous angular velocity measurements. By integrating angular velocity over time, the system derives continuous depth, inclination, and radial position data, transforming the measurement approach from static and discrete to dynamic and continuous, which resolves the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
2Stability of the object's composition
If slickline tension is present, then the slickline cable remains taut for positioning, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to tension-induced errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces tension-dependent mechanical positioning with an angular velocity-based positioning system. The sensor assembly measures depth and position through gyroscopic sensing of angular velocity, which is independent of slickline tension. This substitution eliminates tension-induced measurement errors while maintaining positioning stability through continuous angular measurement.
3Ease of operation
If interpolation is used to determine depth, then the measurement process is simplified, but reliability deteriorates due to failure to capture radial movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from using discrete depth level parameters to continuous angular velocity parameters. By measuring angular velocity in multiple axes and integrating over time, the system reliably captures both axial depth movements and radial movements of the slickline, eliminating the fundamental limitation of interpolation methods that cannot detect radial drift or embedding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds dimensional measurement capability by using angular velocity sensors that measure rotation in multiple axes. This enables detection of radial movements (side-to-side motion) in addition to depth (vertical motion), providing three-dimensional position information that resolves the reliability issue of interpolation methods that only track vertical depth.
4Measurement precision
If angular velocity measurement is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using a single angular velocity sensor assembly to simultaneously measure depth, inclination, and radial coordinates. The same gyroscope sensors that detect angular velocity in different axes are processed through integration algorithms to derive multiple position parameters, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each measurement and reducing overall device complexity despite the enhanced measurement capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides accurate, real-time measurements of depth and orientation, reducing inaccuracies related to slickline tension and radial movements, and allows for more precise downhole operations without the need for interpolation, enhancing the reliability of data collected during well intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The position measurement system measures angular velocity of the sensor assembly inside a wellbore that extends in an axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a position measurement sensor, a slickline, and a processor. The position measurement system measures angular velocity of the sensor assembly inside a wellbore that extends in an axial direction. The slickline raises and lowers the position measurement sensor in the wellbore. The processor executes a series of measurement units including: an inclination measurement unit, a coordinate measurement unit, a depth measurement unit, and a data storage unit. The inclination measurement unit determines an inclination of the position measurement sensor. The coordinate measurement unit determines radial coordinates of the position measurement sensor. The depth measurement unit determines a real-time depth level of the position measurement sensor. Each of the inclination, the radial coordinates, and the real-time depth level are determined from the angular velocity. The data storage unit stores the measured values, including the angular velocity, inclination, radial coordinates, and real-time depth level.